Angle bar for web printing press



8, 1956 G. R. BRODIE 2,760,773

ANGLE BAR FOR WEB PRINTING PRESS Filed March 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l IINVENTOR GEORGE R. BRODIE FIG. I

Aug. 28, 1956 Filed March 4, 1955 G. R. BRODIE 2,760,773

ANGLE BAR FOR WEB PRINTING PRESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE R.BRO DIE ANGLE BAR non wnn rnnsrnso PRESS George Rogers Brodie, LowerMerion Township, Montgomery County, Pa., assignor to Fredk. H. LeveyCompany, Inc, New York, N. Y.

Application March 4, 1955, Serial No. 492,165

4 Claims. (Cl. 271-21) This invention relates to improvements in rotarywebfed printing presses, and more particularly to an improved angle-barassembly especially adapted to use in conjunction with such presses.

So-called angle-bars have been extensively used in webfed presses. ingeneral, they are round orzelliptical bars or tubes which extend at anangle across the path of the web at points where the direction of travelof the web is to be changed.

These angle-bars serve several useful purposes. They may be used toshift the position of the web transversely with respect to the rollersof the press, or to reverse the web after it has been printed on oneside so that it may be printed on the other side, or to assist inturning the web at right angles to its path of travel, e. g. where it isdesired to direct the web from one press to an adjacent press, or anycombination of these purposes.

These angle-bars usually extend across the web at an angle of 45. Theweb passes over and partially around the angle-bar and leaves the bar ina direction usually 90 from that at which it approaches the bar.

Where it is desired to shift the position of the web transversely withrespect to the press rollers, it is usually customary to use twocooperating angle-bars, the position of at least one of which isadjustable. The adjustable bar is adapted to be moved back and forthalong the web in such a way that its forward edge'is always parallel toits former position. Usually the web passes from the adjustableangle-bar to a roller positioned with its axis of rotation parallel withthe initial path of the web. An adjustment of the position of theangle-bar causes the web to shift to right or left on the roller, theaxis of which normally remains unchanged. Such adjustments arefrequently necessary in order to center the printing on the web, or toprovide the desired side margins.

Adjustment of the angle-bar has heretofore caused an objectionablechange in the tension of the web. For instance, the movement of theangle-bar in a direction opposite that in which the Web leaves the barhas caused an increase in tension on the web, while moving the angle-barin the opposite direction has caused a loss in tension.

A primary purpose of the present invention is to provide means wherebysuch changes in tension of the web, due to adjustment of the position ofthe angle-bar, may be avoided.

This is accomplished in accordance with the present invention by a novelangle-bar assembly, whereby any change in the web tension, occasioned byan adjustment of the position of the angle-bar is avoided by anautomatic simultaneous corresponding movement of the axis of rotation ofthe roller over which the web passes after leaving the angle-bar.

In general, the invention provides an angle-bar assembly nited States,Patent so constructed and arranged that the angle-bar and the followingroller, respectively, are both movably supported and their supports areso linked together that any movement of the angle-bar, in eitherdirection, is transmitted to the roller support in such proportion as tocompensate for any change in tension of the web which would otherwiseoccur.

The novel assembly comprises a rigid support frame, supported by aplurality of parallel supporting links of equal length, each pivotallyattached at one end to said frame and adapted to be pivotally attachedat its other end to a fixed support, such as the press frame, so thatlines drawn between the pivot points form a parallelogram, therebypermitting the supporting frame to be moved, with respect to the fixedsupport, while maintaining the frame parallel to its former position. Aroller is supported at each end by supporting links attached to one endof the frame and is adapted to be rotated about an axis perpendicular tothe direction of the movement of the supporting frame. distant from thecorresponding pivot points of the respective supporting links, and thesesupporting links are secured to the supporting frame so that a movementof the frame and attached angle-bar in either direction will, throughthe supporting links, cause a movement of the roller axis in the samedirection a distance proportionate to the distance of the angle-barmovement.

This differential in the movement of the roller relative to the movementof the angle-bar is necessary for the reason hereinafter described.Where the web makes a 189 turn over the roller, a ratio of angle-barmovement to roller axis movement of 2:1 is necessary to maintain uniformweb tension. However, it will be understood that where it is desired,for any reason, to change this ratio, such change may be accomplished byappropriate change in position of the roller axis with respect to thecorresponding pivot points of the supporting links.

The invention will be further described and illustrated with referenceto the accompanying drawings, which represent a particularlyadvantageous embodiment of the invention, and of which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the angle-bar assembly,

Fig. 2 is a front end view along line 22 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the left hand portion along line 33 of Fig.1, partly broken away to show the roller driving gears.

The side frames of a printing press are indicated at 1, and a stationarycross-frame member is indicated at 2. An adjustable angle-bar 3 issecured at each end to a rigid supporting frame 4, as by means of endflanges 5, bolted to lugs 6, which are in turn secured to frame 4 bymeans of bolts or machine screws 7.

The frame 4 is supported at each end by supporting links 8, as moreclearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. Each of these supporting linksis pivotally fastened at one end to frame 4 at points 9, 10, 11 and 12,respectively, and pivotally fastened at its other end to a fixedsupport, for instance the press side frame 1 and cross-frame member 2,as pivotal points 13, 14, 15 and 16, respectively.

These supporting links are all of equal lengths so that lines drawn fromtheir pivotal'points are equal, and also the stationary pivot points areso positioned that the centre lines of the supporting links areparallel. Consequently, lines drawn between the pivot points form aparallelogram, and the frame 4 and angle-bar 3 attached thereto may beswung to the right or to the left, to effect the desired shift of theweb, without effecting any change in the angle of the bar with respectto the direction of This axis is positioned equi- I travel of the weband little or no change with respect to the plane of the web.

In the apparatus illustrated by the drawings, the anglebar supportingframe 4 is somewhat L-shaped, comprising the side members and the crossmember 29 secured theretoat 39. It will be understood, however, that asupporting frame of that particular construction is not essential to theinvention. The frame may be rectangular and be supported at each corner.It may be so constructed as to have two parallel sides suitably tiedtogether by cross members to provide rigidity.

As shown more clearly in Fig. l, the paper web 17 in passing over anglebar 3 is turned at right angles to its former direction of travel. Inline with its new direction of travel, there is a roller 18 supported ateach end by shafts 19 provided with bearings 20 which are in turnsupported by two of the supporting links 8.

The axis of rotation of the roller is positioned intermediate the endsof the supporting links and parallel to the initial path of the web, i.e. perpendicular to the path of the web leaving angle-bar 3. The axis ofrotation of roller 18 also lies in a plane parallel to the plane ofmovement of angle-bar 3.

When it is desired to shift the position of the web with respect to thepress rollers, the angle-bar 3 is moved by moving frame 4 to the rightor to the left. This causes a corresponding movement of the axis ofrotation of roller 18, but since that axis is positioned intermediatethe pivot points 12 and 16 (see Fig. 3), the movement of the roller axiswill be proportionately less than the movement of the angle-bar 3. Bypositioning the axis of roller 18 midway between the pivot points of thesupporting links, the movement of the roller axis will be just half thatof the angle-bar.

It is usually desirable that roller 18 be positively driven. However, byreason of the fact that the axis of roller 18 is subject to change inposition, special provisions for driving the roller are necessary.

As a particularly advantageous means of driving the roller, I providerotary driving means, for instance gear 21, positioned with its axis ofrotation at the stationary pivot point 16 of the roller supporting inks,as more clearly shown in Fig. 3, so as to be adapted to rotatev about anaxis coinciding to the pivot point about which the roller axis isadapted to swing. The driving means 21 cooperates with a driven means,for instance, gear 22, secured to the roller shaft 19, and theirlocation is not disturbed by the swing of the roller axis 19 about thepivot points 14 and 16.

It is usually necessary or desirable that the web leaving the roller 18be passed over a second angle-bar such as indicated at 23 in order todirect it along a path parallel to its initial path. This is essentialwhere the purpose is to turn the web after the first printing so that itmay be printed on the reverse side. The second printing maybeaccomplished on the same press, or on a second press positionedalongside of and parallel to the first press.

Any shifting or aligning of the web for the second printing can usuallybe accomplished by adjustment of angle bar 3 and therefore the positionof angle-bar 23 may be fixed.

In the drawing, the angle-bar 23 is shown secured in a fixed position tothe press side frame 1 and crossframe 2 by end flanges 24 and lugs 25fastened to the press frame.

It will be understood that where the web is to be passed to an adjacentpress, the second angle bar will be positioned on the second press sothat the web may pass directly from roller 18 to the adjacent press andbe aligned with the press by means of the second angle-bar.

In operation of the apparatus shown, the web 17, after having beenprinted on one side and passed over the drier, is passed aroundangle-bar 3 by which its path is turned at right angles toward theroller 18 (seeFig. 1).

The web then passes around roller 18 and from thence to the angle-bar23. in passing over angle-bar 23, the web is turned over, and itsdirection is again turned at an angle of The distance from roller 18 toanglebar 23 will, as previously indicated, depend upon the desired finalpath of the Web.

As previously indicated, the desired alignment of the web passing fromangle-bar 23 is effected by adjusting the position of angle-bar 3 bymoving the supporting frame 4. This adjustment may be made, and the bar3 held in the desired position, by any appropriate moving and clampingmechanism attached to frame 4 or to one or more of the supporting links8, for instance at the point 26. Numerous mechanisms adapted to thatpurpose are available, and need not be particularly described here.

It will be observed that in the apparatus shown, the web passes in asingle path from the angle-bar 3 to the roller 18. But the web passesto, and leaves, the roller 18 over two substantially parallel paths.With this arrangement, any movement of angle-bar 3 must be compensatedfor by a corresponding movement of the axis of roller 18 only half thedistance of the angle-bar movement. Therefore, the axis of roller 18 hasbeen positioned mid-way between the pivotal points of the supportinglinks 8. Where a lesser degree of compensation is required, the axis ofroller 18 may be shifted further toward the pivotal points 14 and 16 inorder to effect the desired change in the ratio of the roller axismovement to the angle-bar movement.

In the apparatus shown, the web leaving the roller 18 passes under idlerroller 27 in travelling toward the anglebar 23 so as to maintainconstant the plane along which the web approaches angle bar 23,regardless of the position of roller 18. This roller 27 is rotatablysupported by brackets 28 secured to the press cross-frame 2.

I'clairn:

1. An angle-bar assembly comprising a rigid supporting frame, aplurality of parallel supporting links of equal length, each pivotallyattached at one end to said frame and adapted to bepivotally attached atits other end to a fixed support, so that lines drawn between the pivotpoints form a parallelogram, thereby permitting the frame to be movedwith respect to the fixed support while maintaining the frame parallelto its former position, a roller supported by two of said links attachedto one end of the frame, said roller being adapted to rotate about anaxis perpendicular to the direction of said movement f the frame and theaxis being positioned parallel to a line drawn through the correspondingpivot points of the respective two said supporting links attaching thesaid links to the frame, and an angle-bar secured to said frame, adaptedto move therewith and positioned at an angle of 45 degrees with respectto a plane through the axis of rotation of the roller and lying in aplane parallel to a plane through said axis perpendicular to the firstsaid plane.

2. In conjunction with a web-fed printing press, an angle-bar assemblycomprising a rigid supporting frame, a plurality of parallel supportinglinks of equal length, each pivotally attached at one end to said frameand pivotally attached atits other end to the press frame, so that linesdrawn between the pivot points form a parallelogram, thereby permittingthe supporting frame to be movedwith respect to the press frame whilemaintaining the supporting frame parallel to its former position, aroller supported by two of said links attached to one end ofthesupporting frame, said roller being adapted to rotate about an axisperpendicular to the direction of said movement ofthe supporting frameand the axis being positioned parallel to a line drawn through thecorresponding pivot points of the respective two said supporting linksattaching the said links to the frame, and an angle-bar secured to thesupporting frame, adapted to move therewithrand positioned at an angleof 45 degrees with respect to a plane through the axis of rotation ofthe roller and lying in a plane parallel to a plane through said axisperpendicular to the first said plane.

3. The angle-bar assembly of claim 1 further characterized in that theroller axis is positioned midway between the pivot points of therespective supporting links.

4. The angle-bar assembly of claim 1 further characterized by means forrotating the roller comprising a gear secured to one end of the rollerand a co-acting gear positioned with its axis of rotation at a fixedpivotal point of the roller-supporting link at the corresponding end ofthe roll.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,378,234 Meyer June 4, 1945

